ARIA confirms new Singles Chart for 8th October, 2006

ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) has announced today the creation of a new singles chart, integrating for the first time data from sales of physical singles and their digital counterparts.

The new Motorola ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart will be published on 8th October for the chart period 30th September – 6th October. The current Physical Singles Chart (top 50) and Digital Track Chart will continue to exist in their own right.

ARIA Chart and Marketing Committee Chairman and SONY BMG General Manager, Marketing and Promotions, Mr John Parker, said today “We are thrilled to be able to supply this essential music chart to Australian consumers, knowing that it will accurately represent overall sales of singles, be they physical or digital, in the local market place. Following the development and successful implementation of the Digital Track Chart earlier this year, it was the logical next step, ensuring ARIA continues to develop charts of the highest calibre for the Australian public and industry alike.”

Locally, the number one digital track has been averaging about 30 per cent of the sales of its physical single counterpart each week. Digital sales have contributed to very significant gains for the industry in recent times. Digital music, included for the first time in the half year industry sales figures (January to June 2006), accounted for 5.5% of the overall value of the recorded music market during this period. This is well up on the 1.5% posted for the complete year of 2005.

The new Motorola ARIA Singles Chart will be available for the first time from 6pm on Sunday 8th October, with NOVA’s Official Motorola ARIA Chart Show and host Jabba unveiling the top 40 singles from the new chart live and exclusive from 3pm (EST).